Loading arm locking device

Description

1 / 5 LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE. Certificate of Addition of Invention BR 10.2025.003160-4 filed on 02 / 18 / 2025. FIELD OF APPLICATION

[001] This addendum certificate, in accordance with the articles of law, presents improvements included in the same inventive concept foreseen in the object of the invention originally claimed, as it deals with developments applied to the locking device, which now integrates a support tower with toothed support and additional lock that provide a more stable linear displacement during the movement of the arm, as well as enabling greater support for the weight from the loading arms. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] As already anticipated in the main application, it is known that liquid loading arms are crucial equipment on supply platforms in ports, refineries, fuel distribution bases and other locations that carry out liquid transfer operations between storage tanks and vehicles such as tanker trucks, tanker aircraft or railway wagons. Their primary function is to ensure a safe and efficient connection, preventing leaks and optimizing the loading and unloading process.

[003] These arms generally consist of articulated tubes that allow movement in various directions, adapting to the position of the vehicle, being composed of pipes connected by flanged connections or quick couplings and include an outlet tube with a length that reaches the vehicle's tank for loading or unloading, thus enabling the transfer.

[004] A common feature of loading arms is the spring return system which consists of a mechanism that assists in the movement of Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, pages 16 / 21 The 2 / 5 arm design facilitates handling and ensures that it returns to its resting position after use. However, this system presents a challenge: the absence of an arm locking mechanism.

[005] The lack of proper locking can cause the arm to return due to the pressure exerted by the spring, especially during the passage of liquid. To mitigate this problem, it is common to use ropes to lock the arm and prevent its return; however, this solution is improvised and may not be safe. If the rope is not properly secured, the arm may detach from the tank, resulting in liquid spills and risks of accidents.

[006] Some loading arm models incorporate spring load adjustments with spindles or similar systems, seeking to offer greater control over the arm's return. However, these solutions can be complex and difficult to adjust, which leads to them being unusable by workers.

[007] The lack of a precise adjustment can have negative consequences, such as making the arm difficult to operate, requiring more effort from the operator and causing ergonomic problems. In addition, difficulty in adjustment can compromise the safety of the operation, increasing the risk of accidents. OBJECTIVES OF ADDITION

[008] The purpose of this addition is to present a locking device for a loading arm equipped with a support tower with toothed support and an additional lock that enables the linear displacement of the arm during movement for collecting fuels or other petrochemical liquids.

[009] Another objective of the addition is to present a load arm locking device that supports a higher spring working load by forming a more resistant locking point, considering that the arms can reach up to 4 meters in length, thus requiring that the Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, pages 17 / 21 3 / 5 locking device must be able to support such a length. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[010] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention and in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached to the description, where, in an exemplary, though not limiting, manner, its operation is represented: [Oil] Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of the locking device with attached loading arm;

[012] Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the locking device with a support tower without a side wall for viewing the additional lock;

[013] Figure 3 represents a side view of the locking device in rest mode;

[014] Figure 4 shows a side view of the locking device in rest mode and with enlarged detail illustrating the unlocked toothed support;

[015] Figure 5 illustrates the same side view of the locking device in rest mode and with enlarged detail illustrating the locked toothed support;

[016] Figure 6A represents a perspective view of a variation of the locking device with the exploded side wall of the support tower, for visualization of the installed pneumatic piston; and

[017] Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the said variation with parts assembled. DESCRIPTION OF THE ADDITION

[018] In view of the foregoing, the present addition to the invention relates to a LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, which is a locking device (10) for a loading arm (BC) for petrochemical liquids. Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, pages 18 / 21 4 / 5 loading and unloading terminals, said locking device (10) being formed by a spring box (20) from which projects a bearing (13) supporting the end (14a) of the movable member (14) with the opposite end (14b) coupled to a bearing (Mel) of the arm (BC), controlled by a valve (15).

[019] According to the present addition, said locking device (10) includes a primary lock (31) comprising a movable member (14) with equidistant holes (14bl) for fixing in a bearing (Mel), a support tower (32) and an additional lock (33) provided with a locking base (33A) and a toothed support (33B) for stable linear sliding (DL) for raising and lowering the loading arm (BC) during positioning for supplying petrochemical products (not illustrated), said support tower (32) receiving a transverse shaft (Exl) for fixing the locking base (33A) and which configures a guide rail (TL) for sliding the longitudinal span (33b2) of the toothed support (33B) locked via engagement of the movable plate (33a3), actuated by a piston (P3) controlled by the valve (15).

[020] Said primary lock (31) has a movable member (14) with a motion sensor actuation plate (CP) installed near the end (14a) and the opposite end (14b) equipped with a set of equidistant holes (14bl) concentric with the holes (Mel') made in the bearing (MCI) for adjusting the angle of the arm (BC), being locked together via a fixing shaft (Ex2).

[021] The support tower (32), in turn, provided on the spring box (20), has a hollow rectangular section (32a), followed by an enlarged section (32b), both inclined at approximately 45° and with peripheral faces provided with slots (32c) of different shapes. The enlarged end (32b) accommodates the locking base (33A) of the additional lock (33) and provides through access (32d) by Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, pages 19 / 21 5 / 5 where it passes through the length of the toothed support (33B).

[022] The aforementioned additional lock (33), in turn, provides a base (33A) fixed to one of the internal walls of the sector (32b) of the tower (32) with passage (33al) for the support (33B) to pass through and equipped with an internal cradle (33a2) for accommodating the movable plate (33a3) connected to a piston (P3) and with a toothed edge (33a3') for engaging in the gaps (33b3) between the teeth (33b4) of the support (33B).

[023] The toothed support (33B) is formed by a blade (33bl) with a longitudinal gap (33b2) and a lower edge equipped with a set of teeth (33b4) divided by spaces (33b3). One end of the support (33) is fixed in a bearing (Mc2) of the arm (BC) while the opposite end remains free for movement and linear displacement of the arm (BC).

[024] During the movement of the arm (BC) (see figures 4 and 5), it is sufficient to lock the movable member (14) in relation to the arm (BC) bearing (Mel) to determine the initial angle of the arm (BC), followed by displacement upwards or downwards, according to the linear displacement (DL) caused by the longitudinal gap (33b2) of the support (33B), until the desired height is reached, thus proceeding to actuate the piston (P3) which displaces the movable plate (33a3), locking the displacement and keeping the arm (BC) in the determined location.

[025] In an alternative version, the locking device (10) can receive a pneumatic cylinder (CPI) mounted in a frame (MD) installed in the inner portion of the support tower (32), contiguous to the locking base (33A), both fixed with the aid of the transverse axis (Exl). The tower (32) also internally receives the end (14a) of the movable member (14).

[026] Thus, this certificate of addition does not alter the scope of the object requested in the main document, acting only as an accessory to the invention, improving the inventive concept present therein. Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, pages 20 / 21

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1) LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, this is a locking device (10) for a loading arm (BC) of petrochemical liquids from loading and unloading terminals, said locking device (10) being formed by a spring box (20) from which projects a bearing (13) supporting the end (14a) of the movable member (14) with the opposite end (14b) coupled to a bearing (Mel) of the arm (BC), controlled by a valve (15), characterized by the locking device (10) including a primary lock (31) comprising a movable member (14) with equidistant holes (14bl) for fixing to a bearing (Mel), a support tower (32) and an additional lock (33) provided with a locking base (33A) and a toothed support (33B) for linear sliding (DL),wherein said support tower (32) receives transverse shaft (Exl) for fixing the locking base (33A) and which forms a guide rail (TL) of the longitudinal span (33b2) of the toothed support (33B) locked via engagement of the movable plate (33a3), actuated by piston (P3) controlled by valve (15)., 2) LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the primary lock (31) having a movable member (14) with a motion sensor actuation plate (CP) installed near the end (14a) and the opposite end (14b) having a set of equidistant holes (14bl) concentric with the holes (Mel') made in the bearing (MCI) for adjusting the angle of the arm (BC), being locked together via a fixing shaft (Ex2). 3) LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by a support tower (32) having a hollow rectangular sector (32a), followed by an enlarged sector (32b), both inclined at approximately 45° and with peripheral faces provided with slots (32c) of different shapes; the enlarged end (32b) accommodates the locking base (33A) of the additional lock (33) and provides through access (32d) through which the length of the toothed support (33B) passes. 4) LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by an additional lock (33) providing a base (33A) fixed to one of the inner walls of the section (32b) of the tower (32) with passage (33a1) for the support (33B) to pass through and equipped with an internal cradle (33a2) for accommodating the movable plate (33a3) connected to a piston (P3) and with a toothed edge (33a3') for engaging in the gaps (33b3) between the teeth (33b4) of the support (33B), formed by a blade (33bl) with a longitudinal gap (33b2) and a lower edge equipped with a set of teeth (33b4) divided by spacings (33b3); one end of the support (33) is fixed in a bearing (Mc2) of the arm (BC). 5) LOADING ARM LOCKING DEVICE, according to claim 1 and in an alternative version, characterized by a locking device (10) receiving a pneumatic cylinder (CPI) mounted in a frame (MD) installed in the inner portion of the support tower (32), contiguous to the locking base (33A), both fixed by a transverse axis (Exl); the tower (32) internally receives the end (14a) of the movable member (14). Petition 870250064933, dated 07 / 28 / 2025, page 15 / 21

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